Thoughts and Reflections on Mamba

There was a time when movies had Hollywood endings, climaxes that sympathized with our emotions, our notions of what should happen, and conflicts that converged to the proper place. This was a time that made for storybook endings, when Michael Jordan battled through a flu and hit a game winner, or, when Kirk Gibson hit that walk-off home run in the 1988 world series. The Miracle on Ice symbolized the victory of democracy and freedom over socialism. Pete Sampras battled exhaustion, dehydration – and tears upon learning of Tim Gullickson's terminal cancer– and emerged victorious each time. To the sports fan, it seemed as if higher powers were behind the story line, lining up behind the stars.

And then, came the advent of post-modernism and the decay of meaning. Pulp Fiction signaled its humble beginnings. Why, we asked, why did stories need to have happy endings? Why does the good guy have to win? Why do scripts have to make sense? Without a higher power, a transcendent impetus, an angel on the subway, anything is possible. A recent movie, No Country for Old Men, underscores a worldview predicated on randomness and chance. And that, indeed, is the thrust of today's avant garde.

Such a post-modern script would have Michael Jordan battling through the flu and willing the Bulls to an incredible victory in Game 5 .. and then dropping two straight to a Jazz team that is invigorated, rather than overwhelmed, by His Airness. Such a script would have the USA amateur / collegiate hockey team resurrecting King David's memory and defeating the Soviet Union .. and then losing to Finland in the Gold Medal match. Such a script would have Kirk Gibson hit that walk-off home run in the 1988 World Series off two knees that had no ligaments remaining .. and then the Dodgers losing instead of winning in 5 games. Such a script would have Pete Sampras crying during the 1995 Australian Open, crying tears for his long time friend, drawing upon a deeper source of strength .. and then losing to Jim Courier.

But fortunately, the post-modern era was not alive back then, and our sports icons remain enshrined, rightfully so, in immortality, having found rest in those long corridors and hallways of our memories, neatly wrapped and never to be questioned again.

We live in a different world now, and not only in Hollywood. It seems as though the world of sports has caught on. Nowhere is it more evident than with Kobe Bryant, a career with the perfect storyline, and the meaningless ending.

It started in the 2002-2003 playoffs, when the Lakers were battling the Spurs in the 2^nd round, in a pivotal game 5 in San Antonio. Down two with time winding down, Kobe Bryant – the same Kobe Bryant that was maligned for not trusting his teammates enough – drove baseline and was double teamed. This time, Kobe Bryant made the right basketball play, and fed Robert Horry – Mr. Big Shot with countless clutch baskets – for an open three. This was the first year that Kobe Bryant would have won Finals MVP. Waiting in the East were the terrible New Jersey Nets. Win this game, and the deflated Spurs would head to LA, dejected. Kobe Bryant would have his Jordanesque, trust-your-teammate-moment, a la John Paxson and Steve Kerr. And Robert Horry, ice in his veins, was wide open in his pet-spot.

But Horry missed, and the Spurs would go on to win the championship. 3 years later, Horry would hit the exact same shot off a Manu Ginobli pass (Ginobli made the mistake of double teaming Kobe in the 2002 shot) to win game 5 for the Spurs, on the road in Detroit in the Finals, in one of the lowest rated Finals ever. Perfect storyline, meaningless ending.

It continued the following year, when Derek Fisher hit the shot of his life with 0.4 seconds left to practically dispatch the Spurs. Kobe Bryant had spent the year battling rape allegations, and had confessed publicly to the media and privately to God and his wife of the sin of adultery. Men marveled at his ability to excel under trying circumstances. This time, the storyline was richer – Gary Payton and Karl Malone, two ringless Hall of Famers – were on the team that was primed to win another championship – Phil Jackson's 10th, which would break Red Auerbach's all-time mark. Malone had limited Duncan, and then Garnett, and they were in the Finals, facing a Detroit team that had little championship experience. And Kobe Bryant hit the shot of his life in Game 2 – a three pointer under pressure to rescue his team from a 0-2 deficit. It was every bit a fabulous, career defining, shot, as there have been in history. As Hollywood scripts go, you couldn't write it any better.

But Malone suffered a career ending knee injury, and Derek Fisher suffered a debilitating foot injury, and the Lakers ended up losing all 3 games in Detroit. Perfect storyline, meaningless ending.

Two years later, Kobe Bryant would hit the equivalent of Michael Jordan's shot over Craig Ehlo that had eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. Except this time, Kobe did it against a vastly superior Phoenix Suns squad, in Game 4 of the 1^stround, to cap off a magnificent year in which he averaged 35.4 points. This was a squad that started Smush Parker and Kwame Brown at PG and C – two players that couldn't even make the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies squads, respectively, two years later. It would have ranked as one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.

But unlike Michael Jordan's days, 1^st round series are now best of 7, giving much more opportunity for the superior team to win. So the series went on.

In game 6, Kobe Bryant hit perhaps the biggest shot of the season, a step-back 3-pointer to put the Lakers up by 1 late in the game – their first lead since the 2^ndquarter. An unbiased breakdown of the play would show that it was one of the most incredible displays of skill and mental toughness I have ever seen. Kobe Bryant would hit another layup the following possesion to extend the lead to 3, and the Suns were ready to go home. I told everyone, “It's Hollywood, baby!”

But, Lamar Odom failed to secure a rebound, and Kwame Brown was faked on a close-out, and Tim Thomas – the same Tim Thomas who had cracked Kobe Bryant in the head to win game 1 – hit a tying 3-pointer, and the Suns would go on to win the series. Perfect storyline, meaningless ending.

The latest episode occurred in round 1 of the 2008 playoffs, with the Lakers having an excellent opportunity to beat the Utah Jazz on the road. Hollywood could not have scripted it any better:

Kobe Bryant, the prodigal, has returned home. The once arrogant and cocky teenager, humbled by life, lost on the far side of the sea, has found his redemption. The same family, once torn by adultery, has stuck together for 9 years and counting, an absolute rarity in today's society. His teammates swear by his change – and commentators and former players call him the best teammate in the league. Generally acknowledged by everyone, from Lebron to Shaq, Magic to Bird, Popovich to Barkley - as the best player for the past 5 years, he finally gets his first MVP award, and shares the moment with his teammates and family. The same young man who used to robotically emulate Jordan during interviews would now genuinely smile, crack jokes, and humbly blush and ridicule any attempt to compare him to the game's greats.

10 years ago, he had completely embarassed the Laker franchise in Utah, shooting airball after airball. Now was the perfect chance to exorcise those demons, and Game 4 was the game.

But Kobe Bryant would suffer through a back injury 90 seconds into the game. Anyone who has had any of those knows you just don't fight through a back injury.

From the OC Register: "Utah coach Jerry Sloan also alluded to how Michael Jordan has done in the Jazz in the past despite appearing physically unable. “I've been in it a couple times and usually come up short,” Sloan said. “But our guys were fighting really hard.” Jerry Sloan sees the connection, but has apparently missed the memo here - we aren't living in the bygone era anymore.

A back injury is a completely different animal. It isn't a flu that can be conquered by effort. The harder you try, the more you move, the more it hurts and stiffens up. Ankle injuries, even knee injuries, can be temporarily compensated, but a back injury fundamentally affects an athlete's core. It was too painful to watch him kneeling on the floor, unable to get up. A back injury at such a critical juncture? It just didn't make any sense. It's the equivalent of James Bond being killed by a stray bullet. Of Superman accidentally overdosing on kryptonite. Herein lies the stratosphere that will always separate Michael Jordan from Kobe Bryant.

And, while no one in their right mind is placing Kobe Bryant up there with the legends - Michael Jordan, Pete Sampras - (he's still in his 20's and Jordan played in his 40's), it would seem that, so far, the magic of the classic times has eluded him. His legacy will be with the overachievers, the two-a-days, the 6AM summer workouts, the perfectors of the craft, the behind the scenes, but not the crown.

Given the storyline, it just doesn't make any sense. Why?

Maybe there isn't a why. Maybe Hollywood's avant garde got it right finally, and the rest of the world is finally catching up.

After watching his Lakers fall tonight to the Detroit Pistons at the Palace, this old-time Lakers fan has some soul searching to do. After some soul searching, this old-time Lakers fan remembers how he fell in love with the game in the first place, and the source of his inspiration to play basketball.

His team was down and out. The opposition was playing with home court advantage. Detroit didn't have a single injury, and Detroit was playing some inspired, old-fashioned basketball. Detroit was peaking. Kobe ended up with a career high 11 turnovers, many created by young, fresh legs. Vladimir Radmanovich's eyes had glazed over 2 minutes into the game. Odom's heart had abandoned him with a whimper, and all the while the Lakers were beginning a season-defining, 9 game road trip without their budding center, Andrew Bynum. They were also missing Ariza, Walton, Mihm, and down the stretch, Turiaf jammed his right shoulder.

But Kobe would not quit. It is against his DNA. Slowly, he brought the Lakers back into the game after an early 17 point deficit, against a Pistons squad renowned for their team defense. With six minutes left in the game, the Lakers were clinging onto a 1 point lead. Kobe had 32 points, many of them on a third quarter rampage that had the entire Pistons squad looking like puppets on strings. Kobe had also locked down Rip on defense, who finished with 7 field goals after hitting 6 the first 8 minutes of play.

How much energy, blood, sweat and tears, is this guy giving up? Kobe is in his 12^th season. Counting 130 playoff games, he has played 14 full seasons of basketball. Of the guys in the league today, only 9 have played more career minutes. And unlike some of the guys higher up on the list, this guy plays his heart out both ends of the floor. I'm thinking to myself, Kobe probably has more mileage on his legs than any active player. He has probably burned more calories on the NBA court than anyone currently lacing up sneakers on the hardwood today. Tonight, Kobe played more than 47 minutes.

Kobe doesn't physically dominate opponents anymore, not the way the rising stars of the next generation do. His shots tonight were on the perimeter. They required immense energy. They required impeccable reading of the defense and attacking at the slightest movement. It pains me to imagine the amount of strength required to create that much separation that late in the game against the wingspan of Tayshaun Prince, the level of concentration required for those 4^th quarter baseline fadeaways against Rip. How many 4:30AM workouts in the offseason? How many hours in the weight room? In the film room? How many two-a-days?

"Many young guys are coming into the league who want carry the label 'best all around player in the league' – but I feel that quest is behind me," Kobe Bryant wrote a few years ago, "I would love to be known as a talented overachiever." This is a guy who gets it. It is not about gloating over your God-given talents, but rather, about giving the best with what you have been given, about daring for greatness and playing for the pure love of the game. "When I run out to start the game, I still get goosebumps..the sound of the sneakers against the hardwood.. the smell of the leather, I just love everything about it."

He hit shot after shot tonight down the stretch in a hostile environment. The elevation was adequate, the separation borderline Jordanesque, the rotation true. Many of them, given the game situation, were of the caliber of momentum killer, crowd silencing, game changing. He executed the game plan to perfection, at least in the second half. He was ready to carry his team to victory, much like he did 2 weeks ago at Key Arena. But tonight, the shortcomings of his teammates would not allow that to happen. Kobe drew 3 Pistons and found Turiaf wide open under the basket with under 20 seconds to go, but Turiaf was unable to convert an open layup after being hit by Rip. An above average inside presence would have ensured 2 points, possibly 3. Turiaf would hit one of 2 free throws.

On the other end, Odom failed to correctly box out and secure a game-winning rebound, much like he did in the 2006 playoffs against Phoenix, when he failed to secure a Phoenix-eliminating rebound. How many near misses are defining Kobe's career? In 2002, Horry missed his trademark 3 by 0.5 inches, which would likely have propelled the Lakers to a championship and Kobe to a Finals MVP. Odom then compounded his mistake by helping on a Billups drive, opening up Tayshaun for a wide open, go-ahead three. Odom, with a mismatch offered by an offball double team on Kobe, would shoot an airball at the other end, but that was just a formality. End score: Lakers 89, Pistons 90. Kobe left his heart and soul on the floor and came out in defeat, again.

My mind drifted over to the rising star of the league, Lebron James, and what he did the night before in a similar situation. In a hostile environment, guarded by Brandon Roy who was considered an excellent defender and ice in the clutch, Lebron James drove to the basket while the opposition parted like the Red Sea, and, without much flair, casually flipped in the game winning layup. It was completely effortless. Now, mind you, Lebron had just single handed decimated one of the hottest teams in the league, on their home floor where they are especially tough. Now, why did that not inspire me? Why did Kobe's effort tonight in a loss inspire me to hit the gym, to get up early for work, to make breakfast for my family, to be the best person I can be?

Lebron is so talented that I cannot relate to him. Last night, he was barely breaking a sweat. He seemed more interested in shutting up the hecklers than in shutting up the Blazers. Mind you, that is absolutely amazing and awesome. How much more satisfying is it to do that? Lebron is on a whole other level. He is a superman.

Kobe isn't at Lebron's, or Jordan's level when it comes to God-given talent and genes. He isn't as explosive as Jordan, not nearly as physically imposing as Lebron, and his smallish hands are his glaring weakness. Jordan and Lebron can physically dominate in a way that Kobe cannot. But in watching Kobe play through the years, the message been translated to me – that humans are imperfect, that humans make mistakes, but that the human spirit, when it humbly acknowledges its place and vows to be the best it can be, is unconquerable. And it is this unconquerable drive that I see being poured out every single game – even down the stretch of Game 5 of the Finals in 2004, when the Lakers were being waxed by the Pistons, when the Palace was on the verge of celebration, when Shaq was on the sidelines emotionless, when Fisher was crying, there was Kobe, hustling his ass off on defense, scrambling, trying to create on offense, and bodying up Rip Hamilton all the way till the final buzzer.

It is those moments that I find communion with Kobe Bryant, with all his strengths and weaknesses, his human imperfections clashing against his drive to be perfect. In ten years, Lebron James will be glorified globally, crowned as the champion of the world, while Kobe Bryant will be largely forgotten, having finished his career without an MVP, without a Finals MVP, and with a rap sheet of negativity and controversy. But there is always a remnant, those who have truly followed his career from day one as a self-centered, cocky 17 year old to a 39 year old humbled veteran with the same undying love and passion of the game, who know that Kobe Bryant has transcended above it all, above even the whimsical nature of individual and team success, and given us a glimpse of the way basketball should be played. Kobe Bryant has inspired me to play basketball, not to impress others, but for the sheer pleasure and love for the game.

"It's a tough loss because I felt like we had the game, but we made mental errors down the stretch," Kobe said. "But I'm encouraged and if we keep playing hard like this on the trip, we'll be all right." Just another day at the office for Kobe, but he won't be here forever. One day, he will be gone like the rest before him. Let's appreciate him while we can still watch him play.

When Tim Thomas swished a three off a pumpfake in the last minutes, all thoughts shifted back to game 6 of the Laker series when he saved the Suns season. Luckily for Dallas, they are a better team than Los Angeles.

Speaking of better team, Dallas showed their grit and determination tonight. Dirk Nowitski has transformed his game before our eyes. He is taking the ball to the rack more often, and simply does not settle anymore for the 18 foot fadeaway. In years past, he would simply shoot over the defense, resulting in fast-break buckets for the opponents, and a disjointed flow to the offense, but now, he driving it in, drawing fouls, slowing down the pace of the game, and scoring at a higher clip. His rebounding is also up. He is, as we all know, a matchup nightmare.

Major props to Josh Howard and Jason Terry as well. They stepped up their game, especially Josh Howard with 29 much needed points. The Suns were completely poised for an upset. Nash has simply incredible court vision and sense. He makes the game so easy for his teammates. Put Boris Diaw on another team, and I guarantee you he will still be a no-name.

Dallas would be nowhere without DeSagana Diop, he unsung hero of game 7. He is the only Dallas player to slow down Tim Duncan, and tonight he changed the complexity of the Dallas defense again, by bothering Diaw and Nash.

I believe this will be, like the Detroit Miami series, a 7 game seesaw affair.

Here's an example of media adoration for Nash / media bias against Kobe. Marc Stein wrote this in the ESPN Daily Dime:

This was not a surrender from Steve Nash. This was not Nash showing us his Kobe Bryant imitation. This was certainly no show of mercy to Mark Cuban's team.
So scrap any such suspicions.
The reason Nash attempted only one second-half shot for the Phoenix Suns on Friday night?
There were two reasons, actually.
Reason No. 1: Nash's determination to create shot opportunities for his teammates went too far in this Game 2 and gradually took him out of the crunch-time attack mode he is known to shift into whenever he comes back to Dallas . . . prompting Nash to bash himself afterward for losing his aggressiveness.
Reason No. 2: The Mavericks did what they didn't do in Game 1 by frequently sending two defenders at Nash after halftime and conceding open looks at the 3-point line. When Phoenix finally cooled off late, to go with the Suns' 1-for-13 freeze at the end of the first quarter, Dallas had the impetus to secure a must-have 105-98 triumph that finally gives it a Western Conference finals victory in its own building.

Marc Stein maintains that Nash did the right thing by creating shot opportunities for his teammates when Dallas aggressively double teamed him. However, Marc Stein maintains that Kobe quit the game when he created shot opportunities for his teammates when Phoenix aggressively double teamed him. Marc Stein lauds Nash's "determination" in getting his teammates involved, while criticizing Kobe's "selfishness and personal issues" in doing the exact same thing, creating shot opportunities for his teammates.

Now, I have already shown you guys that Kobe did the right thing by not trying to score 50 in game 7 (by the way, can you imagine the headlines if he did that? "Kobe Ballhog" "Kobe Lack of Trust in Team Game" "Kobe Goes it alone, #2"). Nash did the right thing tonight as well. Why bring up an unwarranted Kobe comparison and stir the fires of controversy?

So in conclusion, either Marc Stein has a personal agenda to make Kobe look bad at every opportunity, or he holds Kobe to a much higher standard than Nash, such that he expects Kobe to destroy double teams and beat a team by himself. But if he holds Kobe to a higher standard, thereby acknowledging his greatness, then why did he support Nash for MVP?

Just some food for thought. Media bias? Believe me, there's a lot more where that came from.

Here it is, my first opportunity to afford you guys a glimpse into my mind concerning all things basketball. Let's get right to it.

Yes, I know that we are entering the conference semifinals with a pair of intriguing matchups, but I will talk about that next time. Right now, I need to clear some air about all the flak that Kobe Bryant has been receiving from the media.

Here is it: Kobe Bryant is the best all-around player in the league. Many persons, including Barkley, Phil, Lebron, Steven A Smith, Dan Patrick, and many players in the NBA agree with that assessment. He is also the most hated player in the league, because of his off-court issues and his distant personality. Any guy who puts up his numbers, his highlights, and impacts his team in such a positive manner simply should not be left off any MVP ballot, but this player was left off the top 5 of 22 MVP ballots. Tell me that isn't personal.

Kobe is the best all-around player in the league because of two main reasons: skill and mentality. Simply put, he is the most versatile, skilled player in the league, and he is also one of the most competitive, never-give-up-even-under-impossible-odds warriors we have ever seen, right up there with Jordan and Bird. Allow me to further elaborate.

Versatility:

Kobe Bryant can be the 81 point gunner, the guy who outscores the entire Dallas team by himself, 62-61. In this aspect, he has surpassed Jordan in terms of talent and creativity

Kobe Bryant can be the three point specialist, the guy who can kill the double team. He can be Damon Jones if his coach wanted him to be. When Kobe gets hot, it's like a Hollywood script down in Staples. He tied the NBA record with 12 threes in a game.

Kobe Bryant can be a defensive stopper, a Bruce Bowen clone, if his role were entirely defensive. This year, he has shut down the likes of Vince Carter and Ray Allen. In the past, he has shut down Tracy Mcgrady. He has also shut down Allen Iverson and Reggie Miller in the NBA finals. He also played "series-changing defense," as Marv Alberts said, on Tony Parker, to reverse a 0-2 series deficit to a 4-2 series win in the 03-04 season conference semifinals. This year, he is once again 1st team all defense. He single-handedly played good enough defense to take the NBA finals MVP trophy away from Rip Hamilton (who was then the face of the Pistons, if you remember, and their MVP) and into Billups' hands, and had people guessing that Wallace might end up the MVP after switching to Billups the final game and a half, to alleviate GP's embarassment.

Kobe Bryant can be a Vince-Carter like show-stopper.

Kobe Bryant possesses one of the best crossovers in the league, something he doesn't use anymore due to double teaming and his maturation process.

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are the only two wing players ever to possess the fade-away jumper as a legitimate primary scoring option.

Kobe Bryant can execute the triangle offense flawlessly. According to Tex Winters, Kobe is far ahead of Jordan on the learning curve, although, of course, Jordan is still ahead overall.

Kobe Bryant can play point guard, so good is his passing ability and ball handling skills. Having watched the Lakers forever, I tell you he never misses an open teammate - he may shoot it nonetheless, but that is due to his judgement, not any limit of court vision.



Competitiveness / Desire:

Here's a scene that says it all. Game 5 of the NBA finals. The Lakers are down late in the Palace. The Pistons are already showboating. Fisher is crying. Shaq is listless. He hadn't grabbed a rebound in many minutes of play. The entire Lakers bench is down.
But Kobe is still out there, busting himself, chasing after loose balls, playing with incredible energy on both ends of the floor, bodying up Rip Hamilton while his team is down 15+ with a few minutes to play. Only when the buzzer sounds and the Pistons celebrate does he walk off.

How many big shots has he hit in his career? I cannot even begin to count. I might do a daily rewind of big Kobe shots.


Kobe Bryant took the Suns to the brink, and only an incredible three by Tim Thomas after three, count them, three missed rebounds by the Lakers, kept the Lakers from an improbable upset. Think about it this way: other than Kobe and Odom, who on the Lakers would even make the Phoenix squad? Smush Parker wouldn't beat out Nash or Barbosa. Kwame wouldn't even beat out Kurt Thomas. The other starter, Luke Walton? It's a wash between him and James Jones, the Suns' 6th wingman. Place Kobe with Mcgrady, Pierce, Wade, even Lebron, and were talking lottery. Remember, this is the western conference, and you cannot make the playoffs with a sub-500 record.

It's a shame that Kobe had to defend himself on national TV about, of all things, his competitiveness. That is what separates him from the rest. He never gives up, and he hates losing.

Kobe Bryant is all about following the gameplan. He is past the stage of padding his stats in a losing effort. Maybe a few years ago, he would have scored 50 in game 7 and lost by 20, to make himself look good and his teammates bad. Not this year. He is a 27 year old vet now, and he is out there to win the game as a team. Out there to re-live the game 4 situation where he took 14 shots and they won, with defense and a team effort.

No one player can fill Jordan's shoes.
No one player has received as much hate as Kobe.
Sports is sports. Athletes shouldn't be our off-court role models.
Let's learn to limit sports into its own sphere. Take everything else out of the discussion, so that only the pure game itself remains, and it becomes all the more clear: Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league today.